Geraldton Teenager Faces Court Alone After Night in Police Lock-up

A 14-year-old girl in government care faced a court appearance in Geraldton without a guardian after spending a night in the local police lock-up.

Child Protection staff failed to turn up to the girl's court appearance, leaving her without a responsible adult.

Magistrate Expresses Concern

A West Australian magistrate has expressed concern over the situation, saying it is "appalling" that the girl was left without a guardian. Magistrate Melita Medcalf told the Childrens Court at Geraldton that no one from the Department of Communities, which oversees child protection across WA, was present for the hearing.

"It's appalling," she said. "She's in the care of the state, they need to do better."

Court Hearing Details

The teenager was charged by Geraldton Police on Wednesday over an alleged aggravated robbery, and held in custody until her first court appearance at 10am on Thursday. Police said the girl was in custody from 5pm Wednesday until 10:45am on Thursday.

The court heard the girl was living in Geraldton, while her case manager was based in Perth, 420 kilometres away. "It's 10 in the morning," Magistrate Medcalf said, pointing out the department had hours to co-ordinate an adult to attend.

Magistrate to Lodge Complaint

Magistrate Medcalf addressed the girl directly, saying she was angry at the situation, not her. "It's the reality that the department needs to show up and present as a responsible adult for you," she said.

She told the court she would make a complaint to the president of the Children's Court about the department and encouraged the girl's defence lawyer to do the same.

The Department of Communities has been contacted for comment.